Thursday, May 23, 2013

Sorry, but I've seen all the Terminator movies. I've seen Space Odyssey. I've read Nineteen Eighty Four and Fahrenheit 451. If you have seen and read these, you know as well as I do how those panned out. So after reading this article about how the Kinect for the Xbox One will be in a default always on mode a la Big Brother, this is a definite no for me. I truly want to know who in the hell thought this was a good idea.
On the one hand, it's like a dream come true for the developers because it lets them rest easy in the assumption that everyone will have a Kinect. On the other hand, being spied upon and judged ALL the time by the glassy stare of that camera like a crazed Hal does not seem like a lot of fun. Your only option would be to just unplug the darn thing at this point.
I don't even like it when people talk to me while I'm in the bathroom, so there's no way I would be okay with being watched all the time by the Xbox One Kinect. I'm sure there are many others who feel the same way. Look, I get it. Microsoft feels they have to get a big, solid jump on the competition. However, there are are far too many privacy and ethics issues about this that I for one, am just not comfortable with. So until they address those issues, they're not getting a dime from me for this console.
You can check out the article on it here: http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/156515-kinect-for-xbox-one-an-always-on-works-in-the-dark-camera-and-microphone-what-could-possibly-go-wrong

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

I admit as I've gotten older I've gotten a bit more selective about what games I play on our various consoles and computers. This is also true about movies I watch. I really think about whether or not something is worth spending money on. After reading about the Xbox One, I have come to the conclusion that Microsoft is not getting money from me this year. Honestly, I'm thinking that I will skip this years generation of consoles.
I don't like being forced to buy something, but that's what's happening with the Xbox One. The Kinect is now no longer an optional feature, instead if you want an Xbox One you also have to sign up for the Kinect. I didn't even like being forced to have Windows on my computer with no choice of any other program okay? Windows knows I tolerate it on my computer and behaves accordingly.
I don't use a gaming console to Skype, watch TV, or use Hulu. I have a computer. I watch TV on my computer or on our TV. While it does look pretty flashy over all with all its bells and whistles, I confess I am disappointed. They talk about all the spiffy things it does for voice integration, TV watching, and internet stuff, but there isn't a single mention about the one thing that matters to gamers like myself, the video games. Extras are great and everything, but where is the focus on the gamers? It's as if they didn't consider the gamers at all in this. Sure, it looks like a very nice flashy DVR that does everything but make me toast, but there didn't seem to be any mention of what kind of games it would play or what they would have lined up for it. They mention cloud gaming, but that's it. What about regular games? What about used games? Where do they fit in or do they fit in at all? I'm really not sure about the voice integration either. I have better conversations with our dog and all he does is sit there while looking at me adoringly, wagging his tail the whole time.
If you want a gamer like me to drop money on your console or your games you know, you really have to focus on the gaming aspect. I don't care about bells and whistles. I care about games that appeal to my interests, that are great with storytelling, good game controls, and fun game play on a console that runs great without any technical issues. I do not need what is essentially the Swiss army knife of gaming consoles.
So yes, the Xbox One (seriously, this is the name? It's a bit underwhelming) reveal is a bit disappointing for me. However, it's still early so we'll see what else they do with it and see if they do mention any games for it, but I do believe that for now I'll be skipping this gaming console. What about you dear readers? Do you like the Xbox One, dislike it, or are you on the fence about it?
You can check out the article I read from BBC News about it here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22620039

I love it. Sure, she could have ignored it, but she chose to school them on what happens when you make snap judgments and assumptions about people. Yes, the story is from last year, but it has gone viral and it hits home with me. I'll tell you why.
I can't count how many times I've been challenged on my knowledge of video games and comic books. Sometimes I've even been challenged on my science-fiction and fantasy knowledge. Those are things that I love, that I've loved since I was kid yet I've been accused of knowing nothing about said passions. Then I've had demands, yes demands to PROVE my knowledge. The sad part is it's usually some elitist male who thinks he's going to stump the "cute girl" by rapid firing trivia questions at her smug in the assumption that he'll be victorious and humiliate her in front of all his friends. Boy, are they disappointed when they meet me. One of them actually cried on me, claiming I cheated. Right, as if that's the answer.
It couldn't be because my favorite uncle introduced me to the world of comics and let me read many of the comics in his collection, including the MAGE comics which hooked me for the rest of my life on comics. It couldn't be because my grandparents finally decided that yes my brother and I would get a NES for Christmas and we played the heck out of that thing. It couldn't be because I discovered Legend Of Zelda, Final Fantasy, and Dragon Quest on that system and loved them. It couldn't be because my grandmother let me read every single science-fiction and fantasy novel lining all the shelves in her house growing up or her watching those film genres with me. No, it couldn't be that at all. It must be because I cheated, because I'm just a dumb girl.
Every time this happens, I sigh inwardly because it shouldn't happen at all. It shouldn't matter that I'm a woman. It shouldn't matter that any female is female when it comes to all the awesome geek things out there. I don't need to feel like I'm on a damn quiz show because a male person needs convincing that I'm actually a gamer, comic book nerd, or Sci-fi/Fantasy lover. It's not cool and frankly, it's rude.
I also get mildly irritated when there's an assumption made that I don't play things like Metal Gear, God Of War, Assassin's Creed, Thief, etc. or that I only read super girly comics. I'm sure other women get tired of this too, because it sucks and a great deal of the time it simply isn't true. I LOVE Metal Gear, God Of War, Halo, and the like. I don't like girly comics. They're not my thing. I'm more of a super hero, zombies, macabre, and giant freaking robots comics kind of person.
I just wish people wouldn't label it in terms of "Girl Gamer", "Male Gamer", "Girl Geek", and what not. I'm simply a gamer and a nerd. I love playing video games on ALL the systems out there and I have myself a good time playing. I love comic books and I deserve to be in that comic book shop without being stared at like I'm a unicorn. I love Sci-fi and I love Fantasy and I should be able to enjoy it without any hassle.
Please note, I didn't say all males do this. My husband shares many of my passions which is not only awesome, it's fun getting to play Tekken or Soul Calibur with him, and many other games. It's also fantastic to have someone to discuss things like Walking Dead or Doctor Who with. However, too many males have done this to us women and far too often. It should not be an issue that someone is a man or a woman. Just enjoy that you have a passion for some of the same awesome nerd things and leave it at that. Just gamers, comic book lovers, and the like. That's it.

About Me

I'm married and a mother, but manage to find time for my gaming, writing, and film viewing. I'm also a huge nerd when it comes to anything with Hello Kitty or giant robots. It's a living. Mother Gamer is just my opinion about my personal gaming experience and other nerdy things I love. You may not agree and that's okay. Variety is what makes the world an awesome place. Happy gaming!